Tour Bus Playlist: Susto’s favourite tunes

Susto is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Justin Osborne. The South Carolina based band mix indie-rock and Americana to tell tales of living in the south-east of the United States and life on the road away from it.

The band broke through in 2014 with debut record SUSTO, which was followed up with their sophomore effort & I’m Fine Today.

After the departure of several band members post the release of & I’m Fine Today, Osborne decided that he needed to take Susto in a different direction for their next record, taking full creative control of the band’s songwriting. The result is Susto’s third album Ever Since I Lost My Mind, which dropped on 22 February 2019 through Rounder Records.

“There is a theme of transience with this album that comes from having spent so many months travelling and performing over the last few years with my band” explains frontman and principal songwriter Justin Osborne, “I’ve been away from the road now for almost six months, spending time collecting my thoughts and making this album. I’m excited to get back out in the world with these new songs and bring them to life in the places that inspired them. All the faces in the crowd, all the highways and airports, they all have a piece of this music and this tour is like a full circle moment when all of those pieces become reunited.”

The band will be crossing the pond this spring for a handful of UK dates to promote the release.

To mark the tour, Susto frontman Justin Osborne made us this playlist of tracks that he will no doubt be listening to on those long flights and bus trips.

Phosphorescent – Around The Horn

I’ve been really loving the latest album from Phosphorescent and this song is one of my favourites from the whole collection. There’s been a lot of work to do preparing for this album release and tour, but when I feel like my head is spinning the lyrics to this song reassure me, and the groove and halftime towards the end move me every listen, this song reminds me why I love music and performing.

Kendrick Lamar – Alright

I just love this song, it gets me hyped. Anytime something big happens with the band, or in my career, my lady and I have a tradition of blasting this song at our house. This one inspires confidence, and that’s something we can all use.

Frances Cone – Wide Awake

I recently discovered Frances Cone, and have fallen so hard for this song. I’ve had it on repeat and loud! I’ve been lucky to become friends with the singer Christina, and they will actually be out on the road with us for the US portion of the Ever Since I Lost My Mind tour. I’m excited to see them and hear this song live every night.

Little Feat – Willin’

So this one is a bit older, but one that always makes me feel good on the road. I had actually never heard this song until about a year ago. It was a late night, after a show somewhere in Sweden, and it came on while I was drinking at the bar, it immediately became a favourite of mine.

Baby Yaga – Not Even!

One thing that’s inevitable about being on tour, is homesickness. I love travelling, and every tour is its own new adventure, but I also love where I live (Charleston, SC) and some days I really miss it! On those days, I love to listen to music from my favourite local bands, and Baby Yaga is one of them. This song is a great mix of the ’90s, garage, and punk influences I love and reminds me of home.